South Charlotte Presbyterian Church

Sometimes we feel alone in the battle. The image of the bloodied warrior coming off the field after a hard-fought battle is one that resonates with us. Braveheart, the Band of Brothers, and even the Avengers are images of us in life. Yet, in Philippians 1, Paul tells us that we are not alone. If you feel beat up or bloodied by the events of life - or even your week- come hear the gospel call to Hold the Line because Someone is holding it with you.

It's easy to celebrate when times are good or when we get relief from trouble. It is a different thing to rejoice when facing life and death circumstances up close and personal. That kind of joy seems strange to us. Come hear about a man who celebrated the win-win of following Christ when he faced a very public threat to his life and who saw something bigger than his life going on in Philippians 1:18​-26.

Where do you experience joy? Is it in the joy of your team winning it all? The joy of a vacation, a more relaxed schedule, the sense of accomplishing something? Is it in accomplishing a life goal or spending time with a good friend? There is so much we could say. All of these things are good things and should be enjoyed. But what happens when we are encountering situations of conflict, fighting, injustice, belittling, caucusing, etc? Those things can steal our joy, discourage us and wear us down. When we see these things we may be tempted to think that God’s plan is thwarted, that his mission is in danger; that somehow God has been knocked off track. Come join us at 10am to see how we can rejoice despite hard circumstances because nothing can stop the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ who is our only help and hope.

People's opinions loom large in our lives. Influential family. The boss at work. Social media likes. Friends at school. Political discourse. All of these have an effect on us. But what about God and fellow Christians? What does God actually think about us and what is the intended effect of these thoughts? Find out when we look at Paul's intimate letter and prayer to the Philippians, his spiritual family.

Disruptions confront us every day, from slight intrusions that take us off the task to interruptions that change our lives forever. We live in a world that is flawed and broken. Sin has disrupted like a bull in a china shop but Christ has disrupted bringing the true hope of restoration through his life, death, and resurrection. Come join us as we look to the resurrected Christ and find peace amidst the disruption.

Over the coming months, our church will enter a season of calling our first elders and deacons to service of the flock. Choosing leaders is a crucial part of a church's life and a burning issue in our world. Come join us this week as we look at Acts 14 and see the biblical roadmap on how the church chooses leaders - and the surprising way we do it!

In times of suffering, it is easy to be alone. We can lose sight of the purpose suffering serves in the hands of God. While facing his own trials, we see Paul rejoicing in the fellowship he has with his fellow brothers and sisters as they suffer together for Christ.

We've just been through one of the tensest years in recent memory with cultural division and conflicts in just about everything. That conflict sometimes spills over into the church and among believers. How then should we love others in conflict? If you have ever had a relationship sour or find yourself saying "I don't know what to do," this sermon on How to Hope in Tense Relationships (Mt 18:15​-20) will show us the profound and practical way of Jesus that often transforms broken relationships.

Psalm 23 says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (or the valley of deep darkness) I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me." God is present with his people and leads them in the way they should go. Even in the darkness he leads and guides us, promising to be there when we can't see him. Come explore God's glorious presence and find renewed hope and help as we hear the call to follow him.

Everyone has a sense of place. We desire a home in which to dwell. In Exodus, we will see how God builds a sense of place, a home in which to dwell with him. Exodus 35 will show us how God ultimately makes that dwelling place a Person who is our true Refuge.

Sometimes, life, career, and relationships are left in tatters. We aren't sure how things will work out or what can be fixed. In this episode and in Exodus 34 we'll look at how a gracious God and Advocate move toward the people of God and restore the broken things. In a time where much seems broken, the God of grace has good news for us.

God's glory can be seen all around us in the beauty of his creation but no greater beauty can be experienced than the glory of God himself. While we do not see him now face to face one day we will. In this episode, see how we can behold his glory in Christ Jesus.

If you've ever been through hard times, you long to see things change, you long to see something different. This episode in Exodus 33 we examine Moses' prayer to God after a terrible moment in the history of God's people. His prayer is a redeeming prayer. But it isn't just a prayer to God to fix the situation - it is a prayer to see much more.

After the golden calf event, God's people find themselves in a new world, where God no longer lives in the camp. However, God does not abandon His people in the wilderness. Join us as we talk about the radical grace that God gives to His undeserving people.

In the aftermath of God's severe punishment, the people of Israel look further into the consequences of their disobedience as God withdraws his presence from them. Much like the Israelites, how are we to make sense of those times when God seems to be absent from our lives?

"Do you want me to kill it?" These are words of the Angel in C.S. Lewis's book, The Great Divorce as he is speaking to a Ghost whose idol lives on his shoulder. Through a series of back-and-forths the Ghost gives reluctant permission and the Angel destroys the idol. So many things in this world vie for our affection. They make promises that are lies which we are tempted to believe. Peace, contentment, fulfillment, the list goes on. In this episode, we see how seeking Jesus can move us from fleeting affection and false promises to a satisfying affection and steadfast promises.

Idols exist in every human heart. Idols steal glory from God and steal our affection for God. This week we consider how to confront, fight against, and shut down the idol factories in our hearts.

Stress, waiting and bad news make for a potent spiritual cocktail in challenging times. In this episode we look at how Israel handled their stress in dark ways with the golden calf and find the surprising gospel of a relenting God offering hope.

Psalm 13 is an appropriate Psalm for the year 2020. It has something to say to those who perhaps wonder where is God when his people struggle and feel alone. Come and let the truths of this Psalm encourage us.

Presence. A word that has been taken for granted but has experienced renewed appreciation in these COVID days. We were made for presence with one another and with God but we couldn't provide the way. Only God could do it. Hear as we encounter this holy God who secured the way through Christ so we could have restored fellowship with Him forever.